The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-04-27
UNDER BETHESDA'S OAKS
THE UNION SOCIETY'S 18TH
ANNIVERSARY.

Meeting 49, DR.. Bacon'S Letter - Presi-
dent Estilrs Report - officers and
Managers Elected.
Under the rules of the Union Society it is
required that when its anniversary, which
is ST. Georges day. April %, occurs on Sat
urday or Sunday it must be observed on
the following Tuesday. The society's one
hundred and thirty-seventh anniversary,
therefore, was celebrated yesterday. The
attendance was larger than it has been for
the past ten years, especially of young peo-
pie.
The day was all that could be desired At
an early hour the spacious grounds at Be
thesda were dotted with groups Of those
who had come out to spend the holiday, and
every train added to the number. The
energetic stewards of the society, Messrs.
Osceola Butler, John B. Fernandez, Frank
w. Dasher and w. X. Wilkinson, had not
only made ample provision for the Bethesda
BOYS, but also for visitors. Barrels of lemon
AIDE and ice water were in their usual places
beneath the oaks, and a brass and string
band furnished music.
THE ANNUAL MEETING.
At o'clock the members assembled in
the public room in the Orphan House for
the transaction of business. The reports Of
the officers were read and received A letter
from Rev. Thomas Boone was read express
ing his regret that he could not be present
at the anniversary Of an institution in which
he has always taken 50 much interest.
The President stated that he had received
a letter from Rev DR.. Leonard w. Bacon,
who was to have delivered the anniversary
address, stating that owing to illness he was
unable to do so. The President said he had
given the letter to Col George A. Mercer,
who would read it i'll lieu OF the address.
Capt f. NJ Hull offered a resolution,
which was adopted, requesting the Presi-
dent to appoint at his leisure committee of
five to consider the question of establishing
a schoo! Of technology at Bethesda.
The President stated that the members of
the Bethesda Union, a society composed of
young men who have been wards of the
society, had presented the Bethesda boys
with a swing and gymnastic bars, and also
fine sail boat.
Col c. II. Olmstead moved a vote of
thanks to the members of the Bethesda
Union" for their presents.
The following gentlemen were unani-
rously elected members Of the society: S.
Menhard, Z. A. Well A. B. Solomon, Z.
w. Cubbedge, VIM. +. Chaplin,
THE OFFICERS ELECTED.
On motion of Hon. Warning Russell, J.
II. Estill, A. L. Hartridge and John Sulli-
van were unanimously reelected to the
offices of President, Vice President and
Treasurer, respectively. The following are
the officers for the ensuing year:
MANAGERS.
D. r. Thomas, r. G.. Fleming,
7. NJ. Cunningham, Rufus E. Lester,
IhOs I'allmtyne, VIM. Rogers,
I. N. Hull, f. 3. Reppard,
II T. Bolts.
HONORARY MANAGERS.
Andrew Low, A. r. LSwton,
Geo. 5. Owens, r. D. Walker,
Abram Minis, g. NJ. Sorel,
Chas. II. Omstead.
STEWARDS
Osceola Butler, john B. Fernandez,
Geo; j; Baldwin, I, p Ravenel,
+. W. Dasher, W. W. Rogers.
On motion of Col. C. H. Olnstead, W. K.
Wilkinson, ESQ, was unanimously elected
Secretary, vice William w. Rogers, Esq,
who declined a reelection.
At the conclusion OF the business meeting
the members adjourned to the oak grove.
Among those who occupied seats on the
stand were Col. George A. Mercer, S. p.
Hamilton Esq, Mai. A. L. Hartridge, DR..
w. Fl. Elliott, Col. c. H. Oimstead, Maj.
Il. T. Bolts, Capt F. N. Hun,
Thomas l,4eG4 c BalIantyne, Esq D R9y. R.
Esq, Osceola Butler, Esq, F. w. Dasher,
Esq, John Sullivan, Esq, John B. Fernan-
dez ESQ, w. K. Wilkinson, and others.
The boys to the number of over 20, with
Supt. Chaplin, Mr. Lee, the teacher, occtl-
pied seats in front of the stand.
UNDER THE OAKS.
Rev r. Webb offered prayer, after
which the President stated that owing to
severe illness the gentleman who was to
have delivered the annual address was I'M
able to attend. and that Col. Mercer would
read letter from him. Col. Mercer read
the letter and afterwards made a short
speech in which he congratulated the mem
beis OF the society and It's wards upon the
prosperity which had attended the institu-
ton.
To Col. J. H. EstH, President Of the Union
DEAR Mn. PRrsIDEHT--I have cherished to the
last moment the hope that | might he well
enough to fulfill today the appointment with
which the Union Society has honored me. But
l find that have not the strength for it.
The disappointment will be less to the society
and its friends than il is 70 me. What to me is
full of fresh interest might naturally in my
telling of it, become to you like a much more
than twice-told tale. But | have hoped
that being led thus, by your invitation, over
ground so long famlllar TO you all, might, at
least occasion you the sort of pleasure with which
an Old traveller, from whom The zest of first i'm
pressons has long been worn away, escorts
some novice into scenes of beauty and historic
interest, and renews the delight of his own
former enthusiasm in witnessing. half with
amusement and half with sympathy, the fresh
raptures of his companion.
In looking intimately into the wholly orig
nal and characteristic colonial history of Geor-
gia, it is 10 he confessed that one mixes some
elements of interest that abound in the history
of the older colonies. The daring heroism of the
Virginia adventurels is not there: nor the pa
pilgrims, and not in the same degree the inspi-
ration of high religious faith and the antcpa-
ton OF vast future results in the midst of The
feeblest beginnings which nobly characterized
all the New England colonies. But if there was
less of faith and of hope conspicuous in the
founding of Georgia, there was more of charity,
and that is 'the greatest OF these three"
GEoRGIA's EARLY HISTORY.
Then ! find all immense charm in the com.
paratye regency Of the primeval age of Geor-
gta. II has teceded far enough into the past 10
become picturesque aud venerable without
growing IN the least indistnct. That singlilary
fine old military type OF Oglcthorpe,
with his old three-cornered hat
Aid his breaches and all that"
is automatically reported TO us by the one wit
ness who was present, as whispering soft moth.
ingS between his nut-cracker Jaws, at the
sprightly age OF 30. 60 the blooming young
Hannah More. To the aged and illustrious
Hannah More, little Tom llacaulay
still in pcttcoatS. rendered the hospitality OF
his fathers house at Chpham, and promised
the venerable snint " she would come In that
he tyftilb ler gop1p VatsyT pica old Iarno,.o